In this Grade 3 lesson from California myWorld Interactive, students learn how the U.S. federal government is organized, including the origins and purpose of the United States Constitution and the roles of the three branches: legislative (Congress), executive (president), and judicial (Supreme Court). Students explore key vocabulary such as constitution, federal, legislative, and judicial while understanding how each branch shares power to make, carry out, and interpret laws. The lesson connects to the broader Chapter 4 focus on government, helping students understand how the Constitution guides national government and why civic participation matters.
Section 1
Americans Choose Their Leaders
After the American Revolution, the leaders of the new country wanted a government that was fair. They remembered being ruled by a king who had all the power. They decided that the people should be in charge of their own government.
This new idea is called consent of the governed. It means a government only has power if the people agree to be led. This was the main plan for the new government of the United States.
Section 2
The Constitution Limits Government Power
After breaking away from England, American leaders wanted to create a government that was strong but not too powerful. They wrote the Constitution as a master plan. This plan created a government with clear limits on its power to protect the people's freedom.
A main idea in this plan is the rule of law. This means that everyone, from a regular citizen to the president, must follow the same laws. The plan also established federalism, a system that shares power between the national government and the state governments.
Section 3
The Three Branches of Government
To prevent any one group from becoming too powerful, the writers of the Constitution divided the government into three branches. This plan, called the separation of powers, splits the government's main jobs into three different parts.
The Legislative Branch (Congress) is in charge of making laws.
Section 4
Citizens Help the Government Work
The U.S. government works because people help run it. Citizens choose their leaders by voting in elections. This gives leaders the power to make decisions for everyone.
People also help the government do its job by paying taxes. This money pays for things the country needs, like schools and parks. Citizens can also share their ideas by writing or talking to their leaders.
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Section 1
Americans Choose Their Leaders
After the American Revolution, the leaders of the new country wanted a government that was fair. They remembered being ruled by a king who had all the power. They decided that the people should be in charge of their own government.
This new idea is called consent of the governed. It means a government only has power if the people agree to be led. This was the main plan for the new government of the United States.
Section 2
The Constitution Limits Government Power
After breaking away from England, American leaders wanted to create a government that was strong but not too powerful. They wrote the Constitution as a master plan. This plan created a government with clear limits on its power to protect the people's freedom.
A main idea in this plan is the rule of law. This means that everyone, from a regular citizen to the president, must follow the same laws. The plan also established federalism, a system that shares power between the national government and the state governments.
Section 3
The Three Branches of Government
To prevent any one group from becoming too powerful, the writers of the Constitution divided the government into three branches. This plan, called the separation of powers, splits the government's main jobs into three different parts.
The Legislative Branch (Congress) is in charge of making laws.
Section 4
Citizens Help the Government Work
The U.S. government works because people help run it. Citizens choose their leaders by voting in elections. This gives leaders the power to make decisions for everyone.
People also help the government do its job by paying taxes. This money pays for things the country needs, like schools and parks. Citizens can also share their ideas by writing or talking to their leaders.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter